Logging AcceLerAtes Forest restorAtion
MARCH-APRIL 2017
Logging Accelerates Forest Restoration With a sharpened focus on healthy forest restoration within North Carolina’s state parks, a 66-acre tract at the Catawba River Area is undergoing a dramatic makeover. Beginning in late December of last year, the park property south of the CRA front gate was selectively logged to reduce the number of white and Virginia pine trees and promote the growth of oaks and Table Mountain pine trees, as well as a diverse understory of native plants and grasses. “As our understanding improves of what a healthy forest ecosystem looks like for this region, we have chosen to make it a priority to restore that landscape to certain, appropriate areas of Lake James State Park,” said Park Ranger Jamie Cameron. “Starting in 2013, that process began with the reintroduction of fire back into the environment. The selective logging operation at the Catawba River Area is an extension of that effort and will greatly accelerate our progress toward the ultimate goal of creating a forest that more closely resembles its historic structure.”
mosaic of understory, secondary and upper canopy levels.
It’s going to take some time. In the immediate future, the slash and other debris left by the timber harvest will have to dry out during the summer before it can be burned off with a prescribed fire next winter. The hardwoods and Table Mountain pines that have struggled for decades under the crush of white and Virginia pines will take several years to extend their roots and spread their crowns. Native plants and grasses will have to reestablish through the existing seed bank, which has been shaded out for decades, and wind-borne seeds from surrounding sources. It will require many more growing seasons for a healthy age structure of younger and older trees to recreate the natural
It is also possible that after a few years the West District biologist will recommend supplementing the stand with a reintroduction of native shortleaf pine seedlings. A close eye will have to be kept on the site to watch for infestations of invasive plants like kudzu, Chinese privet, princess tree and others that may try to take advantage of the newly available habitat. In the meantime, profits from the sale (more than $90K) will fund natural resources projects across the state parks system. “This project is an exciting opportunity to accomplish important habitat enhancement here at Lake James State Park and help a wide range of other natural resource management initiatives across the state parks system get off the ground,” said Cameron.
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LJSP INTERPRETATION & EDUCATION PROGRAMS MAR.-APR., 2017 If you would like to receive our monthly programs list, contact us at [email protected] In an effort to reduce idle waiting time before programs begin, please make an effort to arrive a few minutes early before the start times lists. Thank you. BOAT TOUR – FRIDAY, MAR. 10 Lake James hosts many species of waterfowl during their return migration north, as well as the critters that stay here yearround. Ranger Clay Veasey will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for loons, otters, eagles and scenic vistas. The weather could be blustery, so be sure to dress warmly if you are one of the eight lucky participants. Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area East Picnic Shelter at 9:45 a.m. for a briefing and prompt 10 a.m. departure. LINVILLE LAKE JAMES 100-MILE HIKE – SATURDAY, MAR. 11 You haven’t heard of Linville Lake James ? Linville Lake James properties are currently being leased by Lake James State Park and are proposed permanent expansions of Lake James State Park, so you aren’t alone if you can’t find them on the map. In fact, they aren’t on there. There is no better way to see them than by ranger-led hike. Meet Ranger Kevin Bischof as he leads a hike through some of the leased property and along some of the future portions of the Fonta Flora State Trail. The 2.5-mile moderate hike will count towards the 100-mile challenge and will trek along previously used logging roads so bring your hiking boots and be prepared to explore a future section of Lake James State Park. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Linville Gorge Overlook in the Paddy’s Creek Area of the park. Be prepared to carpool to the east side of the lake from that location. BOAT TOUR – SATURDAY, MAR. 11 Lake James hosts many species of waterfowl during their return migration north, as well as the critters that stay here yearround. Ranger Earl Weaver will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for loons, otters, eagles and scenic vistas. The weather could be blustery, so be sure to dress warmly if you are one of the eight lucky participants. Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area East Picnic Shelter at 1:45 p.m. for a briefing and prompt 2 p.m. departure. PADDY’S CREEK 100-MILE CHALLENGE HIKE – SUNDAY, MAR. 12 100 miles … can you do it? Many North Carolina Park visitors are trying to do just that; hike 100 miles in 2017. Meet Ranger Kevin Bischof as he leads a hike along the Paddy’s Creek and Holly Discovery Trails which will lead us along the banks of Lake James and Paddy’s Creek. Along the way we will talk about the importance of water quality and look for the animals that call the shoreline and creek home. The hike will be a 3-mile, moderate hike so bring sturdy footwear and water and be prepared to walk Continued Next Page
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LJSP INTERPRETATION & EDUCATION PROGRAMS MAR.-APR., 2017 for about two hours. Meet at 10 a.m. in the Paddy’s Creek Area of the park at the bathhouse. This hike is part of the Hike NC! Initiative. Learn more at http://gohikenc.com. WALK LIKE A DUCK – WEDNESDAY, MAR. 15 Contrary to what you might think, early spring is often the best time of year to catch up with migrating waterfowl as the wing their way north to the summer breeding grounds. Large rafts of common loons (as many as 100 at a time) and red-breasted mergansers are sometimes seen from the top of the Paddy’s Creek Area bathhouse stairway. Other species, like blue-winged teal, ruddy ducks, northern shovelers and black ducks find the shallow flats near the mouth of the creek good for foraging. Join Ranger Earl Weaver, Lake James State Park’s waterfowl expert, for this 2-mile birdwatching foray along the Paddy’s Creek Trail. Bring binoculars, telescopes and field guides if you have them and dress appropriately for the weather. The hike will begin at 8 a.m. from the Paddy’s Creek Area bathhouse breezeway. BOAT TOUR – FRIDAY, MAR. 17 Lake James hosts many species of waterfowl during their return migration north, as well as the critters that stay here yearround. Ranger Clay Veasey will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for loons, otters, eagles and scenic vistas. The weather could be blustery, so be sure to dress warmly if you are one of the eight lucky participants. Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area East Picnic Shelter at 1:45 p.m. for a briefing and prompt 2 p.m. departure. LAKE CLEAN-UP – SATURDAY, MAR. 18 The weather is warming, the birds are singing and the trees are beginning to bud – it’s time for a little spring cleaning at Lake James. Lake James Area Wildlife and Nature Society and the Community of Lake James Inc. will partner with the state park once again for their annual shoreline clean-up, Saturday, March 18. Other area organizations participating are Lake James Environmental Association and Keep McDowell Beautiful. It will be all hands on deck to get the lake ready for the busy spring and summer season. With water levels low, now is the time to remove as much trash as possible from the exposed shoreline. Volunteers are needed, but volunteers with boats are at a premium. The clean-up will be divided into two fronts; the McDowell County side and the Burke County side of Lake James. In Burke County, volunteers will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Paddy’s Creek Area law enforcement boat ramp for a briefing and departure. Anyone interesting in lending a helping hand should call the park office at 828-584-7728.
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LJSP INTERPRETATION & EDUCATION PROGRAMS MAR.-APR., 2017 SALAMANDER SOIREE – SATURDAY, MAR. 25 The wonderful world of salamanders will be on display as Park Ranger Jamie Cameron leads a hike to different types of salamander habitat in search of these small, elusive amphibians. Meet at the Holly Discovery Trail parking area and come prepared to journey through woodlands, seeps, streams and pools. Bring appropriate footwear and keep in mind some of these areas may be a little muddy, so leave the new sneakers at home. The hike will begin promptly at 10 a.m. SPRING MIGRATION CELEBRATION – SUNDAY, MAR. 26 Bird life is abundant along the lakeshore as species make their annual trek from the wintering grounds in the south, to the nesting territories in the north. Some birds will end their journeys here to find a mate, build a nest and raise their young. It’s an incredibly exciting time of year to be a birdwatcher and this hike is timed to meet the greatest diversity of warblers, vireos, tanagers, grosbeaks and buntings. Meet Park Ranger Jamie Cameron at the Holly Discovery Trail parking lot in the Paddy’s Creek Area. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them and dress appropriately for the weather. BOAT TOUR – WEDNESDAY, MAR. 29 Lake James hosts many species of waterfowl during their return migration north, as well as the critters that stay here yearround. Ranger Earl Weaver will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for loons, otters, eagles and scenic vistas. The weather could be blustery, so be sure to dress warmly if you are one of the eight lucky participants. Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area East Picnic Shelter at 1:45 p.m. for a briefing and prompt 2 p.m. departure. CELEBRATE SPRING BOAT TOUR – SATURDAY, APRIL 1 Don’t let anyone fool you, Lake James is the place to be during early spring and this boat tour is a fantastic way to experience it. Ranger Clay Veasey will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for loons, otters, eagles and scenic vistas. The weather could be blustery, so be sure to dress warmly if you are one of the eight lucky participants. Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area East Picnic Shelter at 9:45 a.m. for a briefing and prompt 10 a.m. departure. WALKING THE WETLANDS – THURSDAY, APRIL 6 Park Ranger Earl Weaver will be meeting a group of adventurous hikers to the Old Catawba River to search for aquatic plants, animals, insects and birds. The wetland habitat in this area is rich in biodiversity and rarely visited by humans. Meet Ranger Weaver at the Canal Bridge Boat Access on NC 126 at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. carpool caravan to the site. SPRING MIGRATION BIRD HIKE – FRIDAY, APRIL 7 Warm southern winds are helping songbirds on their way to the nesting grounds and Lake James State Park is an important stopover for warblers, vireos, orioles, hummingbirds, swallows and a host of other birds. The Fox Den Loop Trail is an excellent place to look for these tiny travelers, as well as the many species that reside year-round along the lakeshore. Ranger Jamie Continued Next Page
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LJSP INTERPRETATION & EDUCATION PROGRAMS MAR.-APR., 2017 Cameron will have his trusty binoculars and field guide for this enjoyable 2-1/4-mile hike featuring the oldest trail in the park. Plan to meet in the Catawba River Area breezeway for an 8 a.m. departure. Watch the weather forecast and dress appropriately. MIGRATION MEANDER – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 Warm southern winds are helping songbirds on their way to the nesting grounds and Lake James State Park is an important stopover for warblers, vireos, orioles, hummingbirds, swallows and a host of other birds. The Paddy’s Creek Trail is an excellent place to look for these tiny travelers, as well as the many species that reside year-round along the lakeshore. Ranger Clay Veasey will have his trusty binoculars and field guide for this enjoyable 2-mile hike featuring one of the prettiest trails in the park. Plan to meet in the Paddy’s Creek bathhouse breezeway for a 10 a.m. departure. Watch the weather forecast and dress appropriately. NC SCIENCE FESTIVAL MINI-BLITZ – THURSDAY, APRIL 13 Join us in celebrating the North Carolina Science Festival by joining a park ranger in a citizen science project to identify, count, and record as many species as we can find! All species of animals you can think of will be our focus. Park Ranger Kevin Bischof will lead us to discover what park rangers do to inventory park species. This program will be for all ages but will be specifically geared towards kids and ideal for homeschool groups. Meet the ranger at the Holly Discovery Trail parking lot in the Paddy’s Creek Area of the park. The program starts at 1 p.m. so don’t be late! NC SCIENCE FESTIVAL REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN BIOBLITZ – MONDAY, APRIL 17 Join us in celebrating the North Carolina Science Festival! You’ll explore with a park ranger in a citizen science project to find, count, and record the reptile and amphibian species found along a dedicated section of the park used to study these animals. Park Ranger Kevin Bischof leads a group to discover what park rangers do to inventory park species. This program will be for all ages but will be specifically geared towards kids and ideal for homeschool groups. Meet the ranger at the Holly Discovery Trail parking lot in the Paddy’s Creek Area of the park. The program starts at 10 a.m. so don’t be late! EARTH DAY - SALAMANDER SOIREE – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19 Earth Day! What better way to celebrate our wonderful planet than by searching for slimy amphibians? The wonderful world of salamanders will be on display as Park Ranger Kevin Bischof leads a hike to different types of salamander habitat in search of these small, elusive amphibians. Meet at the Holly Discovery Trail parking area and come prepared to journey through woodlands, seeps, streams and pools. Bring appropriate footwear and keep in mind some of these areas may be a little muddy, so leave the new sneakers at home. The hike will begin promptly at 1 p.m. BOAT TOUR – FRIDAY, APRIL 21 Lake James is particularly beautiful as the trees put out fresh green buds and blossoms and there’s no better way to enjoy it than by boat. Ranger Earl Weaver will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for loons, otters, eagles and scenic vistas. The weather could be blustery, so be sure to dress warmly if you are one of the eight lucky participants. Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area East Picnic Shelter at 9:45 a.m. for a briefing and prompt 10 a.m. departure. Continued Next Page
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LJSP INTERPRETATION & EDUCATION PROGRAMS MAR.-APR., 2017 NC SCIENCE FESTIVAL, STATEWIDE STAR PARTY - SATURDAY, APRIL 22 Back by popular demand, Lake James State Park and the Catawba Valley Astronomy Club will be co-hosting the Annual Statewide Star Party. Learn some basic star gazing tips and take home your own star chart. There will be telescopes and binoculars set up for viewing the night sky, but feel free to bring your own if you have them. Folding chairs are also recommended. We will meet in the upper parking lot of the Paddy’s Creek Area at 7:45 p.m. and get things rolling as soon as it gets dark and stars and planets start showing themselves. SALAMANDERS MAGNIFIED – MONDAY, APRIL 24 Come experience nature in a new way, a magnified way! Nature Magnified is a new program series at Lake James introducing kids to the natural world in a different way. Undoubtedly you’ve strolled along the trails and experienced the beauty Lake James has to offer, but have you ever seen the natural world magnified? Come join Ranger Kevin Bischof as he leads a group along the trails of Lake James to explore the salamanders of the forest at a different level. The park will supply the magnifying loupes, all you have to do is bring the kids and a sense of exploration. Magnification will turn your walk in the woods into a whole new experience. Because the park has a limited number of magnifying loupes, please call ahead of time to reserve your spot. Reservations can be made by calling the park office at 828-584-7728. This program can be used for the Junior Ranger program and will meet at 1 p.m. at the Holly Discovery Trail parking lot in the Paddy’s Creek Area. MACRO-INVERTEBRATE STUDY – SATURDAY, APRIL 29 Aquatic life in our creeks and rivers go far beyond the fish and crawdads you see with a casual glance. The ecosystem of moving water can be incredibly diverse, depending on water quality and other factors. At Lake James State Park, we are lucky to have a waterway of fantastic biological diversity and this program will show participants many of the hidden animals that call Paddy’s Creek home. Armed with nets, seines and buckets, participants will collect aquatic insects, crustaceans, fish, amphibians and more with Park Ranger Jamie Cameron. This program is suitable for all ages, especially those who are willing to get wet and have a great time. We will meet in the parking lot for the Holly Discovery Trail at the Paddy’s Creek Area at 10 a.m. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting wet and water shoes or waders if you have them. BOAT TOUR – SATURDAY, APRIL 29 Lake James is particularly beautiful as the trees put out fresh green buds and blossoms and there’s no better way to enjoy it than by boat. Ranger Earl Weaver will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for loons, otters, eagles and scenic vistas. The weather could be blustery, so be sure to dress warmly if you are one of the eight lucky participants. Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area East Picnic Shelter at 1:45 p.m. for a briefing and prompt 2 p.m. departure.
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NATURE NOTES
Winter may not be completely finished with us, but the inevitable creep toward spring is undeniable. During warm, rainy nights, frogs, toads and salamanders are frantic in their efforts to find a mate and lay their eggs. The wet, marshy areas near the Paddy’s Creek bridge host a chorus of spring peepers and other amphibians. Retention ponds at either end of the PCA day use parking lot are great places to look for egg masses and tadpoles. The changing season brings a change in the bird population as the northbound migration picks up. Blue-gray gnatcatchers, northern parulas and Louisiana waterthrushes are among the earliest songbirds to arrive. Over the winter, the park staff erected a purple martin house at the bottom of the Paddy’s Creek Area road. With colonies of martins nesting within a mile of the park gate, we are hopeful to have some purplefeathered tenants to help control the growing fire ant population. Spring is a great time to hike the park trails and catch the dogwoods and redbuds in bloom. Windless mornings are a good time to listen for the first gobbles of the season as wild turkeys are gearing up for the breeding cycle. Big, bearded male turkeys, called gobblers or Toms, are trying to impress the hens by puffing out their body feathers and spreading their tail fans in display. For those who linger in the park near closing time, the whip-poor-wills start calling soon after the sun sets. These mysterious nocturnal birds are passing through just as the warblers, vireos and other songbirds are, dead set for the northern breeding grounds. Don’t miss early spring in the park – it’s just the right prescription for the winter doldrums. See you out on the trail.
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year of the spider Each year, North Carolina State Parks chooses a theme to be the main focus of our interpretation and education efforts. In years past, our themes have included wildflowers, turtles, birds, bats and even amphibians. This year’s theme is a leg above the rest, eight legs to be exact. 2017 is the Year of the Spider. Spiders are often considered insects, but are actually arachnids. Spiders and other arachnids have eight legs, as opposed to insects, which have six. In addition, spiders don’t have wings or antennae and have a cluster of eight eyes. Like other animals, spiders are broken up into families. In this article we are going to focus on the Salticidae family, commonly referred to as the jumping spiders. The idea of a spider that can jump is an intimidating thought for those who feel uneasy around spiders, but consider for a moment their size. The jumping spiders that can be found in North Carolina range from ¼- to ¾-inch in total length. Spiders always seem larger than they are, but the truth is, even the biggest jumping spiders aren’t much bigger than a dime. Jumping spiders are robust and covered in hair. Of their eight eyes, two are large and centrally located at the front of their face to aid in hunting and maneuvering around their habitat. Jumping spiders are mostly active during the day and, as their name
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implies, jump about as they search fences, outbuildings, plants, flowers and trees for small insects to prey on. Because jumping spiders actively hunt for their prey, they don’t build webs to entrap prey like the more easily seen orb weavers. They do have the ability to spin silk and make small silken retreats under tree bark and leaves. While they are small, jumping spiders don’t lack flare. If you look closely at these little spiders, their intricate patterns range in color from brown and black to more radiant reds, blues, greens and yellows.
If you take the time to notice, you might just acknowledge their beauty. As we enter into March and April, many changes are happening around the park. Temperatures are warming up as we transition from winter to spring and like many animals, our spiders are starting to grow active with the warming weather. So as the weather improves, come visit Lake James State Park and look closely to see if you can discover one of the most fascinating spider species, the jumping spider.
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Paddy’s Creek Area Feels the Burn Smoke rising from the Paddy’s Creek Area on Valentine’s Day signified another successful prescribed burn at Lake James State Park.
trees and shrubs that have choked out the species that have historically dominated this region.
With favorable weather conditions and plenty of parks personnel on hand to assist, the decision was made to touch off a 109-acre unit that encompasses the southern end of the Mill’s Creek Trail, the septic drain field and the vegetated islands separating the parking lot tiers.
“There are remnant examples of Table Mountain and shortleaf pine trees within the burn unit that have not reproduced in decades,” said Park Ranger Jamie Cameron. “Our goal is to make the park less susceptible to uncontrollable wildfires and restore this ecosystem back to its pre-settlement make-up of an open, multi-layered and diverse forest that is anchored by oak, hickory and Table Mountain pine trees.”
Controlled burning is a valuable tool for natural resource managers to remove dead, dry leaves, pine needles, branches and logs from the forest floor; materials that could fuel a catastrophic wildfire during periods of extreme drought. It is also an effective means to control early successional
Started during 2013, the Lake James State Park prescribed fire program has burned more than 900 acres within the park boundary.
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How You Can Be Firewise With the New Year comes a new perspective, hopefully built on experience gained during the last one. Across the Southeast, 2016 ended with extreme drought and some communities endured a historic wildfire season that occurred as a result. While fire is an important natural process in the forest, homes and communities don’t spring back as quickly as wildlands do. The images and film footage of the wildfires from last fall can be intimidating and worrisome. So what can we do to help keep our homes safe? What can we do to be FIREWISE? First, it is important to know how fire works. Fire needs oxygen, heat and a fuel source to exist. Without any one of these necessary elements fire cannot survive. Being “firewise” around your house focuses on removing possible fuels. Let’s begin with the space immediately adjacent to your house. Through the seasons, but especially at the end of fall, leaves fall and collect along the base of your house, in the corners of adjoining walls and along the roof and gutters. Make sure these leaves and sticks are removed from around the house and removed from the yard completely. In preparation for colder weather, firewood piles are often stacked near houses for easy access. This dried wood is perfect for fueling a fire in a woodstove, but it can
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also feed a wildfire. This is true for all the dead vegetation in and around a deck area of a house too. Houses can even ignite from the radiant heat given off from a fire, so it is important to maintain a five-foot barrier around the house that consists of non-flammable landscaping materials or plants that have a high moisture content. Having a “firewise” home also means relocating any gas tanks that are next to your home. Moving out from your house, trees should be pruned up to six feet off the ground and be spaced at least 20 feet apart and away from houses. If you have pine trees or other types of coniferous trees, this spacing should be increased to 30 feet due to their flammable
sap. As you move out to 100 feet from the house, make sure piles of debris and other large accumulations of possible fuels are removed. If the forest canopy around your house is thick, consider thinning out smaller trees and opening the canopy so that the tree tops aren’t touching one another. Wildfires can be an intimidating force and one that we should all take seriously. With a few preventative measures done around the house though, we can all be a little more “firewise.” For more information about making your property “firewise,” visit www. ncfirewise.org.
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NEW NESTING BOXES In cooperation with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the staff at Lake James State Park will place six new nesting boxes for wood ducks along the lake shoreline. Wood ducks are among the most beautiful native waterfowl in the Southeast.
LJSP TRAILS CATAWBA RIVER AREA: Fishing Pier Trail (0.3 mile, easy) Fox Den Loop Trail (2.25 miles, moderate) Lake Channel Overlook Trail (1.5 miles, moderate) Sandy Cliff Overlook Trail (0.5 mile, easy)
PADDY’S CREEK AREA: Holly Discovery Trail (0.75 mile, easy) Mill’s Creek Trail (3.6 miles, moderate) Overmountain Victory Trail (2.0 mile, moderate) Paddy’s Creek Trail (2.0 miles, moderate) Tindo beginners’ mountain bike trail (4.0 miles) Wimba intermediate mountain bike trail (11.25 miles)
PARK GENERAL INFO • Gate hours in March and April are 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. • The Hidden Cove Boat Access opens March 1 during regular park hours • Paddy’s Creek Swim Area, concessions stand and boat rentals are closed for the season
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HOW TO GET INVOLVED Do you have an interest in Lake James State Park? Whether you enjoy hiking the trails, swimming at the beach or just picnicking with your family, there is some part of the park for everyone. Join the Friends of Lake James State Park group and learn about all the opportunities to help make the park a better place for everyone to enjoy. The Friends of Lake James State Park focus on working together to help Lake James State Park meet its mission of providing opportunities for public enjoyment and education while still protecting the natural beauty and historic integrity of the State Park. There are a variety of opportunities to get involved from trail work days, to volunteering at RiverFest and other festivals. Become a member of Friends of Lake James State Park, and know that you are helping to preserve the natural beauty and historic resources of Lake James for generations to come.
FRIENDS CONTRIBUTIONS The Friends of Lake James State Park is proud to support the hardworking staff at Lake James State Park and contribute wherever we can to help improve park operations and offer new recreational opportunities to visitors. If you think these efforts are meaningful, please consider joining our group using the form at the bottom of this page. • Boat Camping Project; partially funded, purchased equipment including rebar driver and auger • Stand-up Paddleboards; purchased two for rental fleet and one for lifeguard use • Funded instructor for Waterfront Safety training for lifeguards • Linville Overlook picnic area • Assisted with Overmountain Victory Trail 2 construction • Holly Discovery Trail; partially funded and dedicated, annual funding for upkeep • Park of the Year celebration • Sponsored night rides on mountain bike trails • RiverFest Sponsor
HOW TO JOIN THE FRIENDS OF LAKE JAMES STATE PARK GROUP Become a member of Friends of Lake James State Park, and know that you are helping to preserve the natural beauty and historic resources of Lake James for generations to come. For more information please visit www.lakejamesstatepark.org or email [email protected].
FRIENDS OF LAKE JAMES STATE PARK - MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION Be a Friend of Lake James State Park Select class of annual membership: Name_______________________________________ ____Individual $10 Address_____________________________________ ____Family $25 City____________________State______Zip_______ ____Corporate $50 Email ______________________________________ ____Patron/Industry $100 - $999 $_____ Phone_______________________________________ ____Lifetime $1000 (or more) $ _____ Return to: ____I would like to be contacted about volunteer Friends of Lake James State Park, Inc. opportunities with the Friends of Lake James State Park P.O. Box 1327 Nebo, NC 28761 Where did you hear about us?____________________ Friends of Lake James State Park, Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization. Receipt of membership will be supplied upon request.
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Logging Accelerates Forest Restoration With a sharpened focus on healthy forest restoration within North Carolina’s state parks, a 66-acre tract at the Catawba River Area is undergoing a dramatic makeover. Beginning in late December of last year, the park property south of the CRA front gate was selectively logged to reduce the number of white and Virginia pine trees and promote the growth of oaks and Table Mountain pine trees, as well as a diverse understory of native plants and grasses. “As our understanding improves of what a healthy forest ecosystem looks like for this region, we have chosen to make it a priority to restore that landscape to certain, appropriate areas of Lake James State Park,” said Park Ranger Jamie Cameron. “Starting in 2013, that process began with the reintroduction of fire back into the environment. The selective logging operation at the Catawba River Area is an extension of that effort and will greatly accelerate our progress toward the ultimate goal of creating a forest that more closely resembles its historic structure.”
mosaic of understory, secondary and upper canopy levels.
It’s going to take some time. In the immediate future, the slash and other debris left by the timber harvest will have to dry out during the summer before it can be burned off with a prescribed fire next winter. The hardwoods and Table Mountain pines that have struggled for decades under the crush of white and Virginia pines will take several years to extend their roots and spread their crowns. Native plants and grasses will have to reestablish through the existing seed bank, which has been shaded out for decades, and wind-borne seeds from surrounding sources. It will require many more growing seasons for a healthy age structure of younger and older trees to recreate the natural
It is also possible that after a few years the West District biologist will recommend supplementing the stand with a reintroduction of native shortleaf pine seedlings. A close eye will have to be kept on the site to watch for infestations of invasive plants like kudzu, Chinese privet, princess tree and others that may try to take advantage of the newly available habitat. In the meantime, profits from the sale (more than $90K) will fund natural resources projects across the state parks system. “This project is an exciting opportunity to accomplish important habitat enhancement here at Lake James State Park and help a wide range of other natural resource management initiatives across the state parks system get off the ground,” said Cameron.
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LJSP INTERPRETATION & EDUCATION PROGRAMS MAR.-APR., 2017 If you would like to receive our monthly programs list, contact us at [email protected] In an effort to reduce idle waiting time before programs begin, please make an effort to arrive a few minutes early before the start times lists. Thank you. BOAT TOUR – FRIDAY, MAR. 10 Lake James hosts many species of waterfowl during their return migration north, as well as the critters that stay here yearround. Ranger Clay Veasey will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for loons, otters, eagles and scenic vistas. The weather could be blustery, so be sure to dress warmly if you are one of the eight lucky participants. Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area East Picnic Shelter at 9:45 a.m. for a briefing and prompt 10 a.m. departure. LINVILLE LAKE JAMES 100-MILE HIKE – SATURDAY, MAR. 11 You haven’t heard of Linville Lake James ? Linville Lake James properties are currently being leased by Lake James State Park and are proposed permanent expansions of Lake James State Park, so you aren’t alone if you can’t find them on the map. In fact, they aren’t on there. There is no better way to see them than by ranger-led hike. Meet Ranger Kevin Bischof as he leads a hike through some of the leased property and along some of the future portions of the Fonta Flora State Trail. The 2.5-mile moderate hike will count towards the 100-mile challenge and will trek along previously used logging roads so bring your hiking boots and be prepared to explore a future section of Lake James State Park. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Linville Gorge Overlook in the Paddy’s Creek Area of the park. Be prepared to carpool to the east side of the lake from that location. BOAT TOUR – SATURDAY, MAR. 11 Lake James hosts many species of waterfowl during their return migration north, as well as the critters that stay here yearround. Ranger Earl Weaver will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for loons, otters, eagles and scenic vistas. The weather could be blustery, so be sure to dress warmly if you are one of the eight lucky participants. Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area East Picnic Shelter at 1:45 p.m. for a briefing and prompt 2 p.m. departure. PADDY’S CREEK 100-MILE CHALLENGE HIKE – SUNDAY, MAR. 12 100 miles … can you do it? Many North Carolina Park visitors are trying to do just that; hike 100 miles in 2017. Meet Ranger Kevin Bischof as he leads a hike along the Paddy’s Creek and Holly Discovery Trails which will lead us along the banks of Lake James and Paddy’s Creek. Along the way we will talk about the importance of water quality and look for the animals that call the shoreline and creek home. The hike will be a 3-mile, moderate hike so bring sturdy footwear and water and be prepared to walk Continued Next Page
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LJSP INTERPRETATION & EDUCATION PROGRAMS MAR.-APR., 2017 for about two hours. Meet at 10 a.m. in the Paddy’s Creek Area of the park at the bathhouse. This hike is part of the Hike NC! Initiative. Learn more at http://gohikenc.com. WALK LIKE A DUCK – WEDNESDAY, MAR. 15 Contrary to what you might think, early spring is often the best time of year to catch up with migrating waterfowl as the wing their way north to the summer breeding grounds. Large rafts of common loons (as many as 100 at a time) and red-breasted mergansers are sometimes seen from the top of the Paddy’s Creek Area bathhouse stairway. Other species, like blue-winged teal, ruddy ducks, northern shovelers and black ducks find the shallow flats near the mouth of the creek good for foraging. Join Ranger Earl Weaver, Lake James State Park’s waterfowl expert, for this 2-mile birdwatching foray along the Paddy’s Creek Trail. Bring binoculars, telescopes and field guides if you have them and dress appropriately for the weather. The hike will begin at 8 a.m. from the Paddy’s Creek Area bathhouse breezeway. BOAT TOUR – FRIDAY, MAR. 17 Lake James hosts many species of waterfowl during their return migration north, as well as the critters that stay here yearround. Ranger Clay Veasey will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for loons, otters, eagles and scenic vistas. The weather could be blustery, so be sure to dress warmly if you are one of the eight lucky participants. Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area East Picnic Shelter at 1:45 p.m. for a briefing and prompt 2 p.m. departure. LAKE CLEAN-UP – SATURDAY, MAR. 18 The weather is warming, the birds are singing and the trees are beginning to bud – it’s time for a little spring cleaning at Lake James. Lake James Area Wildlife and Nature Society and the Community of Lake James Inc. will partner with the state park once again for their annual shoreline clean-up, Saturday, March 18. Other area organizations participating are Lake James Environmental Association and Keep McDowell Beautiful. It will be all hands on deck to get the lake ready for the busy spring and summer season. With water levels low, now is the time to remove as much trash as possible from the exposed shoreline. Volunteers are needed, but volunteers with boats are at a premium. The clean-up will be divided into two fronts; the McDowell County side and the Burke County side of Lake James. In Burke County, volunteers will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Paddy’s Creek Area law enforcement boat ramp for a briefing and departure. Anyone interesting in lending a helping hand should call the park office at 828-584-7728.
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LJSP INTERPRETATION & EDUCATION PROGRAMS MAR.-APR., 2017 SALAMANDER SOIREE – SATURDAY, MAR. 25 The wonderful world of salamanders will be on display as Park Ranger Jamie Cameron leads a hike to different types of salamander habitat in search of these small, elusive amphibians. Meet at the Holly Discovery Trail parking area and come prepared to journey through woodlands, seeps, streams and pools. Bring appropriate footwear and keep in mind some of these areas may be a little muddy, so leave the new sneakers at home. The hike will begin promptly at 10 a.m. SPRING MIGRATION CELEBRATION – SUNDAY, MAR. 26 Bird life is abundant along the lakeshore as species make their annual trek from the wintering grounds in the south, to the nesting territories in the north. Some birds will end their journeys here to find a mate, build a nest and raise their young. It’s an incredibly exciting time of year to be a birdwatcher and this hike is timed to meet the greatest diversity of warblers, vireos, tanagers, grosbeaks and buntings. Meet Park Ranger Jamie Cameron at the Holly Discovery Trail parking lot in the Paddy’s Creek Area. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them and dress appropriately for the weather. BOAT TOUR – WEDNESDAY, MAR. 29 Lake James hosts many species of waterfowl during their return migration north, as well as the critters that stay here yearround. Ranger Earl Weaver will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for loons, otters, eagles and scenic vistas. The weather could be blustery, so be sure to dress warmly if you are one of the eight lucky participants. Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area East Picnic Shelter at 1:45 p.m. for a briefing and prompt 2 p.m. departure. CELEBRATE SPRING BOAT TOUR – SATURDAY, APRIL 1 Don’t let anyone fool you, Lake James is the place to be during early spring and this boat tour is a fantastic way to experience it. Ranger Clay Veasey will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for loons, otters, eagles and scenic vistas. The weather could be blustery, so be sure to dress warmly if you are one of the eight lucky participants. Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area East Picnic Shelter at 9:45 a.m. for a briefing and prompt 10 a.m. departure. WALKING THE WETLANDS – THURSDAY, APRIL 6 Park Ranger Earl Weaver will be meeting a group of adventurous hikers to the Old Catawba River to search for aquatic plants, animals, insects and birds. The wetland habitat in this area is rich in biodiversity and rarely visited by humans. Meet Ranger Weaver at the Canal Bridge Boat Access on NC 126 at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. carpool caravan to the site. SPRING MIGRATION BIRD HIKE – FRIDAY, APRIL 7 Warm southern winds are helping songbirds on their way to the nesting grounds and Lake James State Park is an important stopover for warblers, vireos, orioles, hummingbirds, swallows and a host of other birds. The Fox Den Loop Trail is an excellent place to look for these tiny travelers, as well as the many species that reside year-round along the lakeshore. Ranger Jamie Continued Next Page
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LJSP INTERPRETATION & EDUCATION PROGRAMS MAR.-APR., 2017 Cameron will have his trusty binoculars and field guide for this enjoyable 2-1/4-mile hike featuring the oldest trail in the park. Plan to meet in the Catawba River Area breezeway for an 8 a.m. departure. Watch the weather forecast and dress appropriately. MIGRATION MEANDER – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 Warm southern winds are helping songbirds on their way to the nesting grounds and Lake James State Park is an important stopover for warblers, vireos, orioles, hummingbirds, swallows and a host of other birds. The Paddy’s Creek Trail is an excellent place to look for these tiny travelers, as well as the many species that reside year-round along the lakeshore. Ranger Clay Veasey will have his trusty binoculars and field guide for this enjoyable 2-mile hike featuring one of the prettiest trails in the park. Plan to meet in the Paddy’s Creek bathhouse breezeway for a 10 a.m. departure. Watch the weather forecast and dress appropriately. NC SCIENCE FESTIVAL MINI-BLITZ – THURSDAY, APRIL 13 Join us in celebrating the North Carolina Science Festival by joining a park ranger in a citizen science project to identify, count, and record as many species as we can find! All species of animals you can think of will be our focus. Park Ranger Kevin Bischof will lead us to discover what park rangers do to inventory park species. This program will be for all ages but will be specifically geared towards kids and ideal for homeschool groups. Meet the ranger at the Holly Discovery Trail parking lot in the Paddy’s Creek Area of the park. The program starts at 1 p.m. so don’t be late! NC SCIENCE FESTIVAL REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN BIOBLITZ – MONDAY, APRIL 17 Join us in celebrating the North Carolina Science Festival! You’ll explore with a park ranger in a citizen science project to find, count, and record the reptile and amphibian species found along a dedicated section of the park used to study these animals. Park Ranger Kevin Bischof leads a group to discover what park rangers do to inventory park species. This program will be for all ages but will be specifically geared towards kids and ideal for homeschool groups. Meet the ranger at the Holly Discovery Trail parking lot in the Paddy’s Creek Area of the park. The program starts at 10 a.m. so don’t be late! EARTH DAY - SALAMANDER SOIREE – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19 Earth Day! What better way to celebrate our wonderful planet than by searching for slimy amphibians? The wonderful world of salamanders will be on display as Park Ranger Kevin Bischof leads a hike to different types of salamander habitat in search of these small, elusive amphibians. Meet at the Holly Discovery Trail parking area and come prepared to journey through woodlands, seeps, streams and pools. Bring appropriate footwear and keep in mind some of these areas may be a little muddy, so leave the new sneakers at home. The hike will begin promptly at 1 p.m. BOAT TOUR – FRIDAY, APRIL 21 Lake James is particularly beautiful as the trees put out fresh green buds and blossoms and there’s no better way to enjoy it than by boat. Ranger Earl Weaver will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for loons, otters, eagles and scenic vistas. The weather could be blustery, so be sure to dress warmly if you are one of the eight lucky participants. Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area East Picnic Shelter at 9:45 a.m. for a briefing and prompt 10 a.m. departure. Continued Next Page
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LJSP INTERPRETATION & EDUCATION PROGRAMS MAR.-APR., 2017 NC SCIENCE FESTIVAL, STATEWIDE STAR PARTY - SATURDAY, APRIL 22 Back by popular demand, Lake James State Park and the Catawba Valley Astronomy Club will be co-hosting the Annual Statewide Star Party. Learn some basic star gazing tips and take home your own star chart. There will be telescopes and binoculars set up for viewing the night sky, but feel free to bring your own if you have them. Folding chairs are also recommended. We will meet in the upper parking lot of the Paddy’s Creek Area at 7:45 p.m. and get things rolling as soon as it gets dark and stars and planets start showing themselves. SALAMANDERS MAGNIFIED – MONDAY, APRIL 24 Come experience nature in a new way, a magnified way! Nature Magnified is a new program series at Lake James introducing kids to the natural world in a different way. Undoubtedly you’ve strolled along the trails and experienced the beauty Lake James has to offer, but have you ever seen the natural world magnified? Come join Ranger Kevin Bischof as he leads a group along the trails of Lake James to explore the salamanders of the forest at a different level. The park will supply the magnifying loupes, all you have to do is bring the kids and a sense of exploration. Magnification will turn your walk in the woods into a whole new experience. Because the park has a limited number of magnifying loupes, please call ahead of time to reserve your spot. Reservations can be made by calling the park office at 828-584-7728. This program can be used for the Junior Ranger program and will meet at 1 p.m. at the Holly Discovery Trail parking lot in the Paddy’s Creek Area. MACRO-INVERTEBRATE STUDY – SATURDAY, APRIL 29 Aquatic life in our creeks and rivers go far beyond the fish and crawdads you see with a casual glance. The ecosystem of moving water can be incredibly diverse, depending on water quality and other factors. At Lake James State Park, we are lucky to have a waterway of fantastic biological diversity and this program will show participants many of the hidden animals that call Paddy’s Creek home. Armed with nets, seines and buckets, participants will collect aquatic insects, crustaceans, fish, amphibians and more with Park Ranger Jamie Cameron. This program is suitable for all ages, especially those who are willing to get wet and have a great time. We will meet in the parking lot for the Holly Discovery Trail at the Paddy’s Creek Area at 10 a.m. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting wet and water shoes or waders if you have them. BOAT TOUR – SATURDAY, APRIL 29 Lake James is particularly beautiful as the trees put out fresh green buds and blossoms and there’s no better way to enjoy it than by boat. Ranger Earl Weaver will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for loons, otters, eagles and scenic vistas. The weather could be blustery, so be sure to dress warmly if you are one of the eight lucky participants. Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area East Picnic Shelter at 1:45 p.m. for a briefing and prompt 2 p.m. departure.
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NATURE NOTES
Winter may not be completely finished with us, but the inevitable creep toward spring is undeniable. During warm, rainy nights, frogs, toads and salamanders are frantic in their efforts to find a mate and lay their eggs. The wet, marshy areas near the Paddy’s Creek bridge host a chorus of spring peepers and other amphibians. Retention ponds at either end of the PCA day use parking lot are great places to look for egg masses and tadpoles. The changing season brings a change in the bird population as the northbound migration picks up. Blue-gray gnatcatchers, northern parulas and Louisiana waterthrushes are among the earliest songbirds to arrive. Over the winter, the park staff erected a purple martin house at the bottom of the Paddy’s Creek Area road. With colonies of martins nesting within a mile of the park gate, we are hopeful to have some purplefeathered tenants to help control the growing fire ant population. Spring is a great time to hike the park trails and catch the dogwoods and redbuds in bloom. Windless mornings are a good time to listen for the first gobbles of the season as wild turkeys are gearing up for the breeding cycle. Big, bearded male turkeys, called gobblers or Toms, are trying to impress the hens by puffing out their body feathers and spreading their tail fans in display. For those who linger in the park near closing time, the whip-poor-wills start calling soon after the sun sets. These mysterious nocturnal birds are passing through just as the warblers, vireos and other songbirds are, dead set for the northern breeding grounds. Don’t miss early spring in the park – it’s just the right prescription for the winter doldrums. See you out on the trail.
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year of the spider Each year, North Carolina State Parks chooses a theme to be the main focus of our interpretation and education efforts. In years past, our themes have included wildflowers, turtles, birds, bats and even amphibians. This year’s theme is a leg above the rest, eight legs to be exact. 2017 is the Year of the Spider. Spiders are often considered insects, but are actually arachnids. Spiders and other arachnids have eight legs, as opposed to insects, which have six. In addition, spiders don’t have wings or antennae and have a cluster of eight eyes. Like other animals, spiders are broken up into families. In this article we are going to focus on the Salticidae family, commonly referred to as the jumping spiders. The idea of a spider that can jump is an intimidating thought for those who feel uneasy around spiders, but consider for a moment their size. The jumping spiders that can be found in North Carolina range from ¼- to ¾-inch in total length. Spiders always seem larger than they are, but the truth is, even the biggest jumping spiders aren’t much bigger than a dime. Jumping spiders are robust and covered in hair. Of their eight eyes, two are large and centrally located at the front of their face to aid in hunting and maneuvering around their habitat. Jumping spiders are mostly active during the day and, as their name
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implies, jump about as they search fences, outbuildings, plants, flowers and trees for small insects to prey on. Because jumping spiders actively hunt for their prey, they don’t build webs to entrap prey like the more easily seen orb weavers. They do have the ability to spin silk and make small silken retreats under tree bark and leaves. While they are small, jumping spiders don’t lack flare. If you look closely at these little spiders, their intricate patterns range in color from brown and black to more radiant reds, blues, greens and yellows.
If you take the time to notice, you might just acknowledge their beauty. As we enter into March and April, many changes are happening around the park. Temperatures are warming up as we transition from winter to spring and like many animals, our spiders are starting to grow active with the warming weather. So as the weather improves, come visit Lake James State Park and look closely to see if you can discover one of the most fascinating spider species, the jumping spider.
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Paddy’s Creek Area Feels the Burn Smoke rising from the Paddy’s Creek Area on Valentine’s Day signified another successful prescribed burn at Lake James State Park.
trees and shrubs that have choked out the species that have historically dominated this region.
With favorable weather conditions and plenty of parks personnel on hand to assist, the decision was made to touch off a 109-acre unit that encompasses the southern end of the Mill’s Creek Trail, the septic drain field and the vegetated islands separating the parking lot tiers.
“There are remnant examples of Table Mountain and shortleaf pine trees within the burn unit that have not reproduced in decades,” said Park Ranger Jamie Cameron. “Our goal is to make the park less susceptible to uncontrollable wildfires and restore this ecosystem back to its pre-settlement make-up of an open, multi-layered and diverse forest that is anchored by oak, hickory and Table Mountain pine trees.”
Controlled burning is a valuable tool for natural resource managers to remove dead, dry leaves, pine needles, branches and logs from the forest floor; materials that could fuel a catastrophic wildfire during periods of extreme drought. It is also an effective means to control early successional
Started during 2013, the Lake James State Park prescribed fire program has burned more than 900 acres within the park boundary.
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How You Can Be Firewise With the New Year comes a new perspective, hopefully built on experience gained during the last one. Across the Southeast, 2016 ended with extreme drought and some communities endured a historic wildfire season that occurred as a result. While fire is an important natural process in the forest, homes and communities don’t spring back as quickly as wildlands do. The images and film footage of the wildfires from last fall can be intimidating and worrisome. So what can we do to help keep our homes safe? What can we do to be FIREWISE? First, it is important to know how fire works. Fire needs oxygen, heat and a fuel source to exist. Without any one of these necessary elements fire cannot survive. Being “firewise” around your house focuses on removing possible fuels. Let’s begin with the space immediately adjacent to your house. Through the seasons, but especially at the end of fall, leaves fall and collect along the base of your house, in the corners of adjoining walls and along the roof and gutters. Make sure these leaves and sticks are removed from around the house and removed from the yard completely. In preparation for colder weather, firewood piles are often stacked near houses for easy access. This dried wood is perfect for fueling a fire in a woodstove, but it can
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also feed a wildfire. This is true for all the dead vegetation in and around a deck area of a house too. Houses can even ignite from the radiant heat given off from a fire, so it is important to maintain a five-foot barrier around the house that consists of non-flammable landscaping materials or plants that have a high moisture content. Having a “firewise” home also means relocating any gas tanks that are next to your home. Moving out from your house, trees should be pruned up to six feet off the ground and be spaced at least 20 feet apart and away from houses. If you have pine trees or other types of coniferous trees, this spacing should be increased to 30 feet due to their flammable
sap. As you move out to 100 feet from the house, make sure piles of debris and other large accumulations of possible fuels are removed. If the forest canopy around your house is thick, consider thinning out smaller trees and opening the canopy so that the tree tops aren’t touching one another. Wildfires can be an intimidating force and one that we should all take seriously. With a few preventative measures done around the house though, we can all be a little more “firewise.” For more information about making your property “firewise,” visit www. ncfirewise.org.
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NEW NESTING BOXES In cooperation with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the staff at Lake James State Park will place six new nesting boxes for wood ducks along the lake shoreline. Wood ducks are among the most beautiful native waterfowl in the Southeast.
LJSP TRAILS CATAWBA RIVER AREA: Fishing Pier Trail (0.3 mile, easy) Fox Den Loop Trail (2.25 miles, moderate) Lake Channel Overlook Trail (1.5 miles, moderate) Sandy Cliff Overlook Trail (0.5 mile, easy)
PADDY’S CREEK AREA: Holly Discovery Trail (0.75 mile, easy) Mill’s Creek Trail (3.6 miles, moderate) Overmountain Victory Trail (2.0 mile, moderate) Paddy’s Creek Trail (2.0 miles, moderate) Tindo beginners’ mountain bike trail (4.0 miles) Wimba intermediate mountain bike trail (11.25 miles)
PARK GENERAL INFO • Gate hours in March and April are 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. • The Hidden Cove Boat Access opens March 1 during regular park hours • Paddy’s Creek Swim Area, concessions stand and boat rentals are closed for the season
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HOW TO GET INVOLVED Do you have an interest in Lake James State Park? Whether you enjoy hiking the trails, swimming at the beach or just picnicking with your family, there is some part of the park for everyone. Join the Friends of Lake James State Park group and learn about all the opportunities to help make the park a better place for everyone to enjoy. The Friends of Lake James State Park focus on working together to help Lake James State Park meet its mission of providing opportunities for public enjoyment and education while still protecting the natural beauty and historic integrity of the State Park. There are a variety of opportunities to get involved from trail work days, to volunteering at RiverFest and other festivals. Become a member of Friends of Lake James State Park, and know that you are helping to preserve the natural beauty and historic resources of Lake James for generations to come.
FRIENDS CONTRIBUTIONS The Friends of Lake James State Park is proud to support the hardworking staff at Lake James State Park and contribute wherever we can to help improve park operations and offer new recreational opportunities to visitors. If you think these efforts are meaningful, please consider joining our group using the form at the bottom of this page. • Boat Camping Project; partially funded, purchased equipment including rebar driver and auger • Stand-up Paddleboards; purchased two for rental fleet and one for lifeguard use • Funded instructor for Waterfront Safety training for lifeguards • Linville Overlook picnic area • Assisted with Overmountain Victory Trail 2 construction • Holly Discovery Trail; partially funded and dedicated, annual funding for upkeep • Park of the Year celebration • Sponsored night rides on mountain bike trails • RiverFest Sponsor
HOW TO JOIN THE FRIENDS OF LAKE JAMES STATE PARK GROUP Become a member of Friends of Lake James State Park, and know that you are helping to preserve the natural beauty and historic resources of Lake James for generations to come. For more information please visit www.lakejamesstatepark.org or email [email protected].
FRIENDS OF LAKE JAMES STATE PARK - MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION Be a Friend of Lake James State Park Select class of annual membership: Name_______________________________________ ____Individual $10 Address_____________________________________ ____Family $25 City____________________State______Zip_______ ____Corporate $50 Email ______________________________________ ____Patron/Industry $100 - $999 $_____ Phone_______________________________________ ____Lifetime $1000 (or more) $ _____ Return to: ____I would like to be contacted about volunteer Friends of Lake James State Park, Inc. opportunities with the Friends of Lake James State Park P.O. Box 1327 Nebo, NC 28761 Where did you hear about us?____________________ Friends of Lake James State Park, Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization. Receipt of membership will be supplied upon request.
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